Christmas in July is a theme I've seen for many things from summer camps to actual campgrounds. My thing, however, is that Christmas in July is acceptable, but when I want to listen to Christmas music or wear my Christmas letters in October, I am ridiculed that it is too early. What's the difference?

I love the Christmas season a lot. Anyone who knows me knows this. I love the snow, the Hallmark movies, the cookies (especially the cookies), hot chocolate, the warmth of friendship, etc.

I usually begin listening to Christmas music in October. Everyone I know always tells me that October is way too early to begin listening to Christmas music. Now, maybe this tradition began in middle and high school choir where I had to sing Christmas/holiday music starting in September. I guess I was used to listening to holiday music because I had to sing it every other day for seven years in a row.

I have heard people say that if I listen to holiday music in October I am not allowed to celebrate Halloween or Thanksgiving. And to those people, I say, "You're absolutely WRONG!" Just because I really like one holiday season doesn't mean I don't also love others.

Halloween is so much fun and I have always loved it. Mainly because I really like candy, but also because I got to go out on, oftentimes, a school night and dress up to collect candy with my friends.

I love Thanksgiving! It is one of my absolute favorite holidays. I get to hang out and catch up with my family that I don't get to see since I'm at school or because they live in Ohio. I also get to eat a lot of food, which I mean I do anyway, but it's socially acceptable to eat as much as I do on Thanksgiving of all days.

For me, listening to Christmas music really early just gets me super into the holiday spirit. It also brings me joy when I'm feeling down or stressed. Who wants to continue to feel down or stressed when they could just listen to some music and feel ten times better? Not me.

And it's just music. I'm not pulling out 'Elf' or 'The Polar Express' or the entire 'Santa Clause' trilogy. I'm just listening to some good music. I could see if I went ALL out, but music is music. It makes me feel better the way other kinds of music make other people feel better.

So yeah, I listen to Christmas music in October, and guess what? There is nothing wrong with it. In fact, it's later than July, so really, who is listening to Christmas music too early, me or those who do Christmas in July? Hmmmm …. That's what I thought.